Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology: Major聽
Anthropology: Major, Minor

The sociology and anthropology department will challenge you to critically examine continuing and urgent issues of inequality and social marginalization, focusing on complex human interactions in diverse cultures within a globalized world.聽

You will learn to analyze structures of power and hierarchy, draw connections between your personal experiences and larger social and historical processes, as well as question preconceived ideas about the nature of society and representation of cultures around the world. Our graduates enter a wide variety of occupations well prepared with sharp analytical skills and as knowledgeable and engaged citizens.

The department combines a humanistic concern for the quality and diversity of human life with a commitment to the empirical analysis of culture and society. The sociology curriculum will give you qualitative and quantitative research skills to tackle pressing 21st century issues. Courses draw attention to history, culture, and social structure and their effects on people’s lives. The anthropology curriculum focuses on human cultural experiences around the world, with an emphasis on the contemporary challenges wrought by globalization. Courses often highlight the geographical areas in which faculty work (Latin America, Asia, and Africa) and focus on a diverse range of topics.

Sociology and Anthropology Department Statement on Black Lives Matter: Racial Justice and Action

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Program Highlights

Classes in sociology and anthropology give students the analytical tools to apply to complex issues that face us in the 21st century, including:

  • Global structures of inequality
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Gender and sexuality
  • Power and class
  • Religion
  • Environment
  • Media and popular culture
  • Health, medicine, and the body
  • Social movements
  • Family and kinship
  • Work and employment
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Opportunities

From internships to study abroad to independent research, opportunities abound for sociology and anthropology students.

Students in a garden
In the Community

Many department courses engage students in community-based learning, where academic learning and civic engagement meet.

Alumni in Rehm Library
Careers

Graduates apply their skills in many careers, including business, health, education, marketing, and non-profits.

Sociology and Anthropology News

Megan Demit '16
Alumna Creates Volunteer Network to Aid Vulnerable Neighbors During the Pandemic
In mid-March, a few days before the shelter-in-place order was announced in San Francisco, Megan Demit 鈥16 was at home scrolling through Twitter when she came across an anecdote that caught her attention.
Jennie Germann Molz, professor of sociology. Photo by Avanell Brock
When the World Is Your Classroom: Sociology Professor Discusses the Emerging Trend of 鈥榃orldschooling鈥
Jennie Germann Molz, professor in the聽sociology and anthropology聽department at the 海角社区, recently spoke to The Washington Post about the emerging trend of 鈥渞oadschooling鈥 or 鈥渨orldschooling,鈥 an issue she鈥檚 been researching extensively for her upcoming book, 鈥淭he 鈥
Ren?e LeBlanc '21, co-chair of EcoAction, on the Hoval last year.
Eco-Action Co-Chairs Focus on Virtual Sustainability Efforts
When the College鈥檚 student-led Eco-Action group was canvassing for student votes for the 海角社区 Green Fund last year, Kimberly Fetherston 鈥22 went to the place she knew she鈥檇 get results. 鈥淭hat was my first campaign,鈥 she remembers. 鈥淚 immediately 鈥